Best AI tools to generate meeting summaries
Top picks at a glance:
- Otter.ai — Teams requiring structured, searchable knowledge from everyday discussions.
- Fireflies.ai — Teams seeking an automated voice assistant to streamline workflow.
- Fathom — Users who need to stay focused on conversations rather than documentation.
- Tactiq — Users of Zoom, Google Meet, or MS Teams who prefer not to store audio.
- Read AI — Users wanting an AI copilot for meetings, emails, and messages.
| Tool | What it does | Pricing | Free tier | Refunds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Otter.ai | AI tool that transcribes meetings, interviews, and everyday discussions, turning them into structured, searchable, and actionable knowledge. | Free tier; paid from $8.33/mo | Yes | None stated |
| Fireflies.ai | AI voice assistant and transcription tool designed to automate your team’s workflow. | Free tier; paid from $10/mo | Yes | — |
| Fathom | AI meeting assistant that records, transcribes, and summarizes meetings so you can stay focused on the conversation. | Free tier; paid from $15/mo | Yes | None stated |
| Tactiq | Transcription tool for Zoom, Google Meet and MS Teams | Free tier; paid from $8/mo | Yes | None stated |
| Read AI | AI copilot transforming meetings, emails, and messages into summaries, insights, and answers. | Free tier; paid from $19.75/mo | Yes | None stated |
— means the vendor does not state it on the pages we read.
How do I choose an AI tool to generate meeting summaries?
When choosing the right tool, first audit your required platforms, noting that while options like Read AI and Fireflies.ai support a broad range of desktop and mobile devices, Tactiq is primarily centered on web and browser-based usage. Examine your budget against the tiered pricing structures, keeping in mind that monthly costs start as low as $8 and reach nearly $20. Always check the subscription terms, as nearly all listed services state no refunds and include auto-renewal clauses. If your team has specific technical requirements, prioritize services that offer an API. Finally, pay attention to operational limits; for example, Tactiq does not record audio, whereas other tools may impose usage restrictions on commercial work or have specific policies regarding how credits or account sharing are managed during your billing cycle.
Otter.ai
Visit Otter.aiotter.aiCancellation & refund terms for Otter.ai
Best for: Teams requiring structured, searchable knowledge from everyday discussions.
This AI tool excels at transcribing meetings and interviews to create actionable data. It provides a free tier alongside paid options and maintains wide platform support, including web, desktop, and mobile applications.
Otter turns every meeting into a clear summary with decisions, action items, and insights.
— otter.ai
Pricing, in their words: “Pro For individuals and small teams $8.33 /user/month” (pricing)
Subscription terms they state: cancel in-app · auto-renews · states no refunds (source)
Limits the vendor states:
- commercial use restrictions
Fireflies.ai
Visit Fireflies.aifireflies.ai
Best for: Teams seeking an automated voice assistant to streamline workflow.
Designed to act as a voice assistant, this tool transcribes and summarizes meetings. It functions across major desktop and mobile platforms and offers an API, though users must manage their credits as they expire at the end of each period.
Get detailed notes, action items, and customized summaries instantly after every meeting.
Pricing, in their words: “$10 per seat / month, billed annually” (pricing)
Subscription terms they state: cancel in-app · auto-renews (source)
Limits the vendor states:
- Credits expire at end of period
Fathom
Visit Fathomfathom.videoCancellation & refund terms for Fathom
Best for: Users who need to stay focused on conversations rather than documentation.
This assistant manages the recording and summarization of your meetings. It is available on web, desktop, and iOS, providing a structured way to capture meeting details without manual effort.
Instant AI call summaries
Pricing, in their words: “90 day guarantee” (pricing)
Subscription terms they state: cancel in-app · auto-renews · states no refunds (source)
No usage limits stated on the pages we read.
Tactiq
Visit Tactiqtactiq.ioCancellation & refund terms for Tactiq
Best for: Users of Zoom, Google Meet, or MS Teams who prefer not to store audio.
Tactiq focuses on generating action items directly from your meetings. It operates via a web interface and chrome-extension, offering a unique approach since it does not record or store your audio files.
Generate action items
Pricing, in their words: “Simple pricing — start free, cancel anytime.” (pricing)
Subscription terms they state: cancel in-app · auto-renews · states no refunds (source)
Limits the vendor states:
- Tactiq does not record or store the audio from your meetings.
Read AI
Visit Read AIread.aiCancellation & refund terms for Read AI
Best for: Users wanting an AI copilot for meetings, emails, and messages.
This tool transforms your communication into insights and summaries. It supports a wide array of platforms including web, mobile, and desktop, and provides an API for deeper integration.
Auto-generated recaps, action items, and highlights
— read.ai
Pricing, in their words: “$19.75 USD. Per user / month” (pricing)
Subscription terms they state: cancel in-app · auto-renews · states no refunds (source)
Limits the vendor states:
- Sharing accounts
- Refunds
Which one for your situation?
- You want a versatile tool that organizes discussions into searchable knowledge for professional use. → Otter.ai: It turns everyday discussions into structured, searchable, and actionable knowledge, though be aware of its stated commercial use restrictions.
- You need an automated voice assistant that integrates into a team workflow with credit-based usage. → Fireflies.ai: This AI voice assistant automates workflows, though users should note that credits expire at the end of each billing period.
- You prioritize remaining fully engaged in your meetings without worrying about the logistics of recording or note-taking. → Fathom: It handles recording, transcribing, and summarizing so you can stay focused on the conversation; note there are no refunds on subscriptions.
- You use Zoom, Google Meet, or MS Teams and need a tool that identifies specific tasks without storing your meeting audio. → Tactiq: It is specialized for these platforms and specifically does not record or store your meeting audio.
- You are a power user looking for a comprehensive copilot that handles meetings, emails, and messages with an extensive API. → Read AI: It acts as a copilot across meetings and messages, though you should note the specific policies regarding refunds and account sharing.
FAQ
Is there a free tool to generate meeting summaries?
Yes — Otter.ai, Fireflies.ai, Fathom, Tactiq, Read AI offer a free tier.
What is the cheapest paid option to generate meeting summaries?
Tactiq starts at $8/month.
Which of these have an API?
Otter.ai, Fireflies.ai, Fathom, Tactiq, Read AI document a developer API.
How do I cancel these subscriptions?
Otter.ai: cancel in-app; Fireflies.ai: cancel in-app; Fathom: cancel in-app; Tactiq: cancel in-app; Read AI: cancel in-app.
Can I get a refund?
Otter.ai states it does not offer refunds; Fathom states it does not offer refunds; Tactiq states it does not offer refunds; Read AI states it does not offer refunds. The other (Fireflies.ai) do not state a refund policy on the pages we read.
Do these subscriptions auto-renew?
Otter.ai, Fireflies.ai, Fathom, Tactiq, Read AI state that paid plans renew automatically. Check the billing page before subscribing.
Sources
Every fact above was read from the vendors' own pages: